A launch anomaly aboard Firefly Aerospace's Alpha rocket led to the failure and loss of a Lockheed Martin spacecraft designed to demonstrate new satellite technologies.
The launch, which took place Tuesday morning from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, unexpectedly veered south shortly after the successful separation of the rocket’s first stage and ignition of Alpha’s second stage. The anomaly caused the craft to lose its engine nozzle extension, significantly reducing its thrust and preventing the satellite from reaching its planned orbital target.
While Firefly Aerospace initially reported that the satellite had reached a lower orbit, it soon confirmed that the spacecraft had fallen back to Earth uncontrollably and crashed into the Pacific Ocean.
“The team is working closely with our customer Lockheed Martin and the [Federal Aviation Administration – FAA] to meticulously determine the root cause of this launch anomaly and conduct a comprehensive investigation,” Firefly Aerospace said in an official statement.
Lockheed Martin's Self-Funded Mission Critical
This major self-funded mission from Lockheed Martin was specifically designed to test the unique capabilities of the company’s LM 400, an adaptable, multi-mission satellite data bus that can operate effectively in a variety of orbits, in a real-space environment. The innovative spacecraft features onboard advanced data processing capabilities, a modular architecture and is fully compatible with a variety of launch configurations.
Similar missions in the past have provided valuable input into Lockheed Martin’s spacecraft design plans and helped the company continually improve its overall launch process.
The company’s key goal for this critical mission is to deeply understand the satellite’s “full lifecycle experience,” Bob Behnken, Lockheed Martin’s senior vice president of exploration, products and technology, told reporters in a briefing on April 7. “It’s vital for us to apply LM 400 throughout its entire lifecycle to fully prepare for the complex mission needs our customers may have in the future,” Behnken said.
Lockheed Martin and Firefly Collaboration to Investigate Causes of Accident
In a statement Tuesday following the failed launch, Lockheed Martin spokesman Chip Eschenfelder confirmed that the company would work closely with Firefly Aerospace to fully determine the root causes of the accident.
“The nature of these self-funded demonstration flights is to manage risks and act quickly. The valuable know-how we have gained during the production and processing of the LM 400 will also provide significant benefits for future customer missions,” said Eschenfelder.
Past Anomaly and Future Launch Contract
Tuesday’s unfortunate accident follows a separate launch anomaly in December 2023 when an Alpha vehicle carrying a different experimental Lockheed Martin payload placed the satellite into the wrong orbit. That past incident raised questions about the reliability of the Alpha rocket.
However, in June 2024, Lockheed Martin signed a significant agreement with Firefly Aerospace, selecting the Alpha rocket to fly up to 2029 missions through 25. This comprehensive contract commits the long-standing defense company to Firefly with 15 firm launch reservations and an additional 10 optional missions, demonstrating Lockheed Martin’s long-term confidence and potential in Firefly technology.
Firefly Aerospace and Lockheed Martin are expected to thoroughly investigate the causes of this latest launch anomaly and take the necessary precautions to ensure the success of future missions. While such disruptions in the space launch industry are considered a natural part of the development process of experimental technologies, they are especially significant when they result in the loss of valuable payloads. A transparent investigation process by both companies and the public sharing of their findings will help restore trust in the industry.
